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Letters to the Editor

Noise abatement benefits residents, visitors alike

A few simple, affordable laws would immensely benefit Maui residents and visitors alike. They all involve noise abatement. There is no reason anyone should be frequently exposed to loud noises that cause anxiety, hypertension, hearing loss and other health problems.  First, enforce muffler laws and motorcycle noise limits. And enforce speed limits. For example, along all of Makawao Avenue, the limit is 20 mph, but cars, trucks, and motorcycles routinely speed two to three times that. Instead of a quiet neighborhood, we live next to a virtual freeway. Anyone living within 100 yards ...

Democrats hypocrites when pointing fingers at GOP

Democrats love to comment on how Republicans seem to be unable to accept defeat during elections. Hillary Clinton has whined for years about her loss to Trump and tries to blame everyone for her defeat. She still does this when interviewed, yet Democrats are deaf and blind to it all, while pointing fingers at Republicans. Between the actions of those who lied regarding the Russia hoax, the Hunter laptop, and who dined and got their hair done during Covid lockdowns, any finger pointing done by a Democrat is simply ridiculous.  Kapena Hill Wailuku

Life on a planet may be withdrawn from it

 Does the decomposing moon suggest to human beings the possibility that life on a planet may be withdrawn from it, due to circumstances beyond human control, or due to the failed policies — or bad behavior — of the previous inhabitants? Apparently not. The barbarians are not at the gate. Among us, they are the sly, selfish, corruptible gatekeepers, who are truly ignorant of science, medicine, psychology, probability, warning and threat. In truth, we are all nerve endings on the crust of the planet, but the nerves of our leaders are numbed by luxury and entombed within the maya ...

Why put pristine Olowalu reef in jeopardy with debris disposal?

I am writing in response to the opinion piece published Nov. 18 regarding using Olowalu as a repository for toxic waste from Lahaina.  The statements from those in favor of Olowalu is that the site will be monitored for 30 years for toxic substances leaching into the soil. And what will happen then? Nobody has said but I assume the waste would all be dug up and relocated, along with excavating out the contaminated soil and relocating it also. Where will the new repository for all this material be? Wherever that is, presumably it is more secure than Olowalu was. So why not just ...

Exerting economic power over basic human rights

I sat at the gate for my full flight, looking around because you can usually spot someone from Maui. On the plane, flight attendants, donned in floral aprons with plastic flowers in their hair, greeted eager passengers. Families with children already bickering on who gets what filled the rows. The lead flight attendant tells everyone over the PA we are going “to her most favorite place in the world.” The plane erupts around me. I feel like the only person in a sea of strangers. When I hear the cheers for vacation, I think of my students. Some must have breakfast with tourists ...

Housing is not the only crisis sending people away

Our housing crisis is not the only reason Hawaiians are forced to move to the mainland.   Lack of available medical care is also an urgent problem.   Recently, an adorable six-year-old little boy spent several days in the emergency room at Maui Memorial Medical Center.   There were no beds available on Maui or Oahu for the care he required.  His single-parent mom slept on the emergency room floor next to her son. Mom was scared, along with being both mentally and physically exhausted.   Her family and friends were in disbelief, asking themselves, why? This is not some ...